The days are getting shorter quickly. It’s completely dark outside by 5PM and we still have many dark months to go before the days start getting longer again.

To enjoy the garden during these darker months I’ve installed lights in the pergola. I went with the simplest and cheapest LED light string. I was afraid that it would look Christmas like, but it doesn’t. It looks cozy and warm!

Best part is that it can be extended with further strings, light curtains, light nets etc. My plan is to leave these lights up year round but to connect more Christmas looking types of lights during the holidays.

Tiny lights mix well with the IvyThe view from my kitchen. All nice and cozy =)

We’re finally done with the pergola makeover. Like most of my projekts, it took longer than I thought. I underestimated the time it took to paint all the crooks and corners. I also ran into things like a stubborn Ivy that needed untangling, a compost that I really didn’t want to move and instead painted around and our two bunnies that were very curious about newly painted walls. Still, it turned out really great and I’m happy i did it!

Color scheme

I wanted the pergola to fit with our house color (light grey) and at the same time melt into the surroundings. These were the four color schemes I chose from.

#1 – grey inside – black outside

#2 – brown

#3 – white

#4 – white with black roof

#1 grey inside – black outside were the colors I went with for three reasons:– Grey looks more natural than white and fits with the house color– Black makes the plants pop and contrasts the house– Main reason: the combination of a dark outside and light inside creates a feeling of the inside being lit up and welcoming. It’s a really nice effect!

Here are the before and after photos.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

I’m very happy I that I went along with the projekt, even though it was more work than I thought. I think it turned out wonderfully!